Oh, Tim Connelly. He's just doing his job, which, unfortunately for the Denver Nuggets, is finding a way to get Giannis Antetokounmpo to Minnesota. It's now a known fact that the superstar has a desire to play alongside Anthony Edwards, and after their latest trade, the Timberwolves seem to be setting themselves up for that outcome.
ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Minnesota was involved in a three-team trade with Chicago and Detroit. The Timberwolves sent Mike Conley to the Bulls and a 2026 protected first-round pick to the Pistons. They didn't receive a player in return (just cash), opening up a roster spot for a "Milwaukee star" (in Shams' words).
Bulls and Pistons have desires met here in a young and veteran guards to Chicago and a sharpshooter goes to Detroit. Minnesota creates significant tax savings and roster space as they pursue a Milwaukee star this week. https://t.co/u9FiTn4wTD
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 3, 2026
Minnesota still has hurdles to clear to land Antetokounmpo, as it only has a 2028 first-round pick swap to offer Milwaukee right now, and that won't be enough. Brian Windhorst said on Monday's episode of ESPN's NBA Today that the Timberwolves are being aggressive and "approaching" third and fourth teams to get a deal done, so there's that.
Connelly was going to go after Giannis regardless, but knowing he is open to playing in Minneapolis is key, as Giannis has a player option in 2027 that he could decline, making him an unrestricted free agent if he is traded and doesn't like where he ends up. That shouldn't be an issue for the Timberwolves.
Timberwolves just made a trade that could help them get Giannis
NBA insider Marc Stein joined the ALL NBA Podcast on Tuesday afternoon with Adam Mares. He said that Minnesota and Miami appear to be the top two teams that Giannis is most in favor of a trade to. That isn't saying that he will only be fine with a trade to either one of those two teams, but Stein did report on Monday night for The Stein Line that he heard Antetokounmpo "could be turned off by the idea of joining an older team," like the Warriors (subscription required).
Again, Giannis does have some leverage in where he will go due to his contract situation, so Golden State shouldn't want to trade its first-round picks for a player who may not hang around. The Warriors could still be desperate enough to try, though.
You can't rule out a team like Golden State or even New York, which doesn't have the assets or young players to trade for Antetokounmpo right now, but it does feel like if Milwaukee trades him between now and Thursday's deadline, it will be to Minnesota or Miami.
It's obvious which outcome Nuggets fans are rooting for, and that's keeping Giannis in the East. Don't let him team up with Edwards, who is only 24. That's not a duo any team, especially Denver and other top squads in the West, wants to deal with.